Monday, September 28, 2009

Hi everybody, hope your Monday is going good.I think this happens to everybody now and then,but I just wasn't loving my first attemptat making Heidi, proprietor and heart ofSimon Says Stamps a birthday card, so as a personal challenge to myself,I've redone the card.Phew, this one I can send!!

Love this one, and will proudly send it,although just a little late, but that seems to be the way I operate, we can turn it into a wonderfully long celebration, perhaps!?!This started coming together with the mixing of several distress inksand all the wonderful fall paper patterns out right now,along with some superlush Mina flowers,organza ribbon, an EK Success fern punch, Glimmer Mist, Stickles and DecoArt Snow Writer. The stamp is called Tilda with Cowberry muffin.

The inside has some more punch work,Martha Stewart doiley punch and EK Success retro flower,and I stuck a little pearl in the center of the flower,the DP is from Recollections.

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Now, as most of us know,Heidi as well as all of the lovely ladiesinvolved with the Simon Says Circle have a lot of heart and do a lot out there to keep things fun.This is no different.Lorraine has a special prize on offer,courtesy of Simon Says Stamps.Take part in this weeksSimon Says Challenge,which is stitching, real or faux,blog about this candy give-away,which is specifically a Magnolia stamp of your choice ,go back to Lorraine's blog and tell herthat you've done so and viola,you're in for a chance at winning,well, you saw it,the Magnolia stamp of your choice.My fingers and toes and eyes are crossed!!I've even braided my hair, haha!!

So, I am off to the post office!!Thanks for looking at my cardand if you get the chance,pop over to this weeks Simon Says Challenge,you've still got time to enter :)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hi folks,It's time to reveal the winners of my little candy give-aways. I now know why RNG is the preferred methodfor candy raffles, haha!!After typing out all the names,cutting and folding each name and placing itinto it's appropriate bag-O-names,it was time for the big reveal.So, I got a big nesting cup to substitute for a magic hatand we got to work lettting the kids pull names.Here's what happened, and note that my camera was NOTcooperating and each picture had to be retaken repeatedly!!

Without further ado,the winner of the Penny Black candy is:Chris Olsen, Glowbugand her favorite PB image iscritters having a picnic,not sure what the image title is, me neither!!

The winner of the House Mouse candy is:Rosannewho narrated for little Monica with, "Let me at 'em!!"

The winner of the Stampavie candy is:Heather, Rica's Havenwhose 'roo story hopped away, haha.See hun, no need to be scared of the 'roos!!

And the winner of the Halloween candy is:Carolyn Boundsand she thinks that Scream masks and girls that dress up like the little girl from The Ringare the scariest Halloween costumes.

There were a few good ones in therethat I thought I would share with you all.Though masks, especially the Scream mask,seems to be the heavy hitter,Count Dracula had a few takers,clowns, spiders and ventriloquist dummiesgot honourable mentions as well aswhite face paint, werewolves and dripping blood.Good ones ladies!!

Thanks to everyone who joined in.I am happy to share some fun stuff with ya,and won't wait so long to post these little giveaways in the future.Thinkin' I'll break them up a bit here and there.Lucky ladies, if you could kindly email me with your snail mail information,eatwblimpy@yahoo.comI'll pop these in the post for ya.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Hello to all of you,hope your weekend has been stuffed full of crafty time.It's time for another challenge over atMagnolia Down Under,and this fortnight, we'd like to see you use buttons on your project.We have a $20 gift voucher from

And here's my project.Happpens to be the perfect timefor a button challenge to come along!!

I've used an image called Tilda with Flower Basket,coloured in distress inks, wings are a GlimmerMist/Stickles combo,papers are K & Company and Basic Grey,flowers are made with several distressed and curled layers from an EK Success punch,and the fabulous buttons are fromMina's delicious blog candy that I was lucky enough to win,(see, told ya I'm due for a karmic cash-out...) and I strung them with hemp, and alsothe buttons in the flowers have a touch-O-hemp as well.I've gone around the circle and imagewith my crap stitch machine and thenadded the stitches with pen.

I decided, since I was lucky enough to be crafting with Mina's buttons,I'd use one of her sketches as well.This is one I saw on the Truly Scrumptious Challenge Blog,(the link above will take you to the sketch)and as it seems to be all too natural for me,couldn't make the cutoff for the challenge,so I tucked the sketch away for a rainy day.As I like it quite a bit,I'm thinking about doing some scrapbooking with it.And here's a piccie of the yummy stuff:

I just love getting handmade cards.I seriously sat and stared at her creationfor, ohhh, I don't know, enough time for the hubby to ask if I was okay, hahahaha, just gorgeous and the colouring is PERFECT!!Thanks again for this bundle of fun, Mina!!

Well, I guess that means that I get to play alongwith a few more challenges.Stamp Something wants us to createwith out favorite sketch or layout,and I LOVE this even more now that I've actually used it, lol.Simon Says Challenge is sayingto use stitching, I entered there already, I know,but Lorraine said I could enter again, teehee,heya, GOOOOoooooOOOOOOooo 200!!!I also get to play withRoses on Paper Challenge,they want to see some stitching.

Welp, thanks for coming by my blog.Enjoy the rest of your weekend and can't wait to see what everyone's been creating!!Take Care,Stephanne

Friday, September 25, 2009

Hi there folks.Ever get the feeling like the week has evaporated.Seriously, it's Friday and I have accomplishedwhat seems like NOTHING all week!!I've, at long last, completed a project that I can't wait to share with you.

It's for this fortnights, yes, fortnightsHouse Mouse challenge,they are celebrating their 1 year milestonewith A Year In Review, so we are to go and find a past challenge that we'd like to revisit and DO IT!!Can you guess which one I've opted for?Well, if you hadn't figggured, it's #8, Halloween!!Why do their little bags look empty?I want to stuff little tootsie rolls in there,look how cute and eager they look!!If I saw these dolls at my door,I'd pour the whole candy bowl in their little bags!!Awww, clearly I need to House Mouse more often.

I've used an image called Just Clowning Around,coloured with distress inks,Martha Stewart and Recollections DP,jute, hemp and buttons from stash,I used my hunkajunk Smart Stitch without the stringfor the faux stitching and I've gone over the designs in pen,the ribbon that looks like those itchy car seat covers people brought back from Tijuana in the 70's is by Making Memories Autumn Splendor collection. For the distressing, I've sanded, torn,and also used my fingernail alongside the paperto ruffle it up a bit and I've gone over itwith Vintage Photo distress ink.And here's a look at that fab sketch,which, of course, I flipped.

I was going for a vintage colour scheme,and wanted to find something basic but stunningto let the image shine.

Welp, thanks for stopping by.Hope you have a fabulous weekend.Take Care,Stephanne

Saturday, September 19, 2009

This is the second editionof the thank you cards el hubb-Ois forcing me to make for him.This one's for my mom though.I went ahead and took some pictures of it tonight,as it's been overcast lately,so even if I wait 'til sun-up,I don't think it will much of difference.

This stamp has been on my wishlistfor a long, long timeand I finally have it, yay!!

The image is called Merci,DP is Basic Grey,pearls and lace are from stash,I've coloured with watercolour pencils,and played with Stickles and Smooch.I bought the embossed white cardstock,feel like a cheater, but I think of it like this:$1 for a paper, much more for an embossing machine and pattern.

I'll be entering this in a few challenges.Charisma Cardz theme is flower power,the main feature should be flowers.Basic Grey's challenge is embossing,and while I would like to hold out until I make a project that is COVERED in BGand a bit more embossing than this store-bought paper,if I wait, I will miss the cutoff, such is the story of my life at the moment!!Over at Penny Black Saturday Challengethey want to see lace and pearls.Mmmmmmhmmmm, I can do that!!I've also used the slendiferous sketch fromMidnight Madness Sketch Challenge.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Hello my dear Blogger buddies,it seems as though the week has run away from me,and as I thought my little "vacation" from workwould be CRAFT-O-RAMA, it is turning into anything but...Alas, I have a card to share, and hooray,it goes along with a few different challenges, so that makes me feel a little better about my creations,or lack thereof.

**indoor lighting photos, sorry :(I've made this for my husband to give to my dad for the birthday present he received.Sort of a double negative, don't you think?Firstly, my husband receives a present from my dad,which happens to be 4 times the quantity of gifts given to me,then Ihave to make the thank you card?!?!This system is flawed!!

I've played along with Lili of the Valleywhere there is a colour challenge ofbrown, green, and orange.Over at A Spoon Full Of Sugarthey want to see Fall-inspired projects,because of colours used and my thankful theme,I get to play over there.At Papertake Weekly,the challenge is Faking It, hahahahaha,so I get to play there because I've faked my flower, doiley and lace with punches.I've used the wonderful sketch fromStampin' For The Weekend,and even though the blog is on hold at the moment,I loved the sketch and wanted to make sure to play,as they are one heckuva bunch of sweet ladies,sending warm thoughts and big hugs your way ladies!!

Now, a little bit about the card,my image is called Hug Timeand it's from Lili of the Valley,I've coloured with watercolours, the papers are from a lot of different packs,so if there's one you like, ask, I'll give you the deets,the fern and flower are EK Success punches,used the MS doiley punchand a Fiskars circular lace punch.Ribbon, eyelets and button from stash,and the sentiment is from the same set it's always from, haha.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Hello Blogger Buddies,I hope you've had a fabulous weekend.I stayed true to the namesake andtook part in a bit of Midnight Madnesslast night and finished up today,and here is what I've come up with:

Sort of a tricky sketch, I thought,but after I actually started putting it together instead of just thinking about it,it was rather enjoyable, like a math project for me,trying to line up grommets and measurements...Here's the MMSC sketch this week:

In addition to those, I will pop this in over at Stamp Something,as their challenge is to use our favorite embellishments,as opposed to keeping them around to gawk over perhaps?As of late, I am loving the grommetsand organza ribbon, and as of... always,love love love pearls!!And of course the MS punch, who doesn't love that?

If you can, I hope you'll hop overto see what these amazing design teamshave provided to inspire us,along with the delicious prizes on offer.

For my card, in addition to the favorite things,I used a freebie Mo image called Sinatra.I am used to my cats treating my hand like that ball of yarn, those meanies!! I've used Prismacolors and left the image to look "brushstroked" which goes againsteverything typical, I like to blend blend blend.The DP is My Minds Eyeand I had my first romp with this littleSmart Stitch toy I got for dirt cheapat a scrap-yard sale.As you may notice, I'll need some practice, lol.Nevermind, don't look...

Thanks for taking the time to visit me,it's truly appreciated!!Stephanne

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Hello dear blogging buddies.I hope the day (or night) finds you well.As the observant folks have noticed,I have a splendiforous new badge in my sidebar.But in case it got lost amoungst other things,allow me to make an official announcement:The wonderful, amazing, Divalicious Kelliehas asked me to jump on board over atMagnolia Down Under Challenge

My first thought upon reading my email was confusion...Me?? On a Magnolia-based DT? Whaaaaaa????Of course I wanted to say yes without thinking twice,but then, started thinking (uh ohhh....that's never good),what in the world would I do challenge after challenge with my HUGE stock of 4 stamps...I'm new to Maggie's, am I really cut out for it?My inner-demons lost out, and I said YES!!!So folks, bare with me as I build a supply up,I've got some stamped images to play withfrom my dear bloggy buddy and fellow teamie Suein the meantime, so yeah, here we go!!

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Now, let's get down to business, shall we?This fortnights challenge isAnything BUT a card.Well, how ideal is it that I join in for this???And get a load of the prize...

brought to us by Just Scrap and Stamp.

Just Scrap and Stamp have a wide range of products for any need from cardmaking to scrapbooking. They also stock a wide range of Magnolia stamps. They have a gorgeous range of shimmerz and just got in their first shipment of Unity Stamp Company! Just Scrap and Stamp are committed to bring you the latest in scrapbooking and cardmaking products, tips and techniques. Be sure to check it out yourself HERE….

And here is my project...

It started out as a paper mache hide-away book,and I podged it up with some yummy stuffand some really fun images to bring us to myButterfly Dreams stash box!!I just adore this image,it reminds me of being littlereaching out to try and catch butterflies,and just today, my dear sontook off running after a monarch butterflyand I had that warm fuzzy feeling,the same one I get from seeing this stamp.That was after I caught up with him, of course...

The main DP is by Websters Pages,one of those gorgeous papers that you just cant stand to cover up, so I didn't!!I've used to as sceneryand added Butterfly Tilda in the mix(she's coloured in Prismacolors,her wings have stickles in spotsand her antennea are beading wire,and she's popped up on foam mount)as well as some handmade butterflies, channeling Priscilla here...You MUST go and take a look at this wonderful butterfly safetypin tutorialPriscilla, founder of the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge,has put together for us, you will be plenty inspired!!

I bet you're sick of reading by this point,so if there's anything I've missedthat you're curious about, just ask.Thanks for stopping by,Stephanne

Friday, September 11, 2009

Hello my blogger buddies!!I hope the day finds you well.It's time for round 3 over atKellie's Sketch Challengeand this month, in addition to this delicious sketch,

we have Softpencil sponsoring us!!So that means 1 lucky lady, or gent'will be chosen to receive a $10 gift certificateto use on adorable Softpencil digi stamps!!

Hop on over to check out their images,I am a little bummed out I can't win this prize,because there are some images that are right up my alley.Kitties, cupcakes, kitties AND cupcakes!!Wahoo!!! Go take a look and get some idea's of whichimages you'll choose if you win the sketch challenge,wink wink, nudge nudge ;)

Here's my take on the sketch this month:

I used a wonderful Mo image,(yes, I will learn to digi, I will!!)I, of course, flipped the sketch,coloured with Prismacolours,papers are My Minds Eye (pumpeekins)and The Paper Studio, flowers are Prima and the little mulberrys are from my local scrapbook store,I've used Inkadinkado flourishes in the corner there,and an Imaginisce sentiment,I layered the image 4 times,not the wisest move for a digi rookie,but in the end, I was victorious!!There is a lot of distressingdone in frayed burlap, and the border isdone with good, old-fashioned Fiskars shears.

And here, for your viewing pleasure,Mr. Luscious, the sultry, the swankadelicBATMAN!!You can see why this image sang to me, huh?

A few more deets for you aboutKellie's Sketch Challenge.The challenge will run until September 27th(down under time)and we will have a winner by the 28th.Feel free to combine our challenge withany other challenge out there, and feel free to use whatever image you fancy,so long as you use or "interpret" Kellie's sketch,you are good to go.I can't wait to see what you all will come up with!!I was absolutely blown away last challenge.So many beautiful works, and it is so very touching to see people playing alongand creating with us, so thank you!!

One more thing before I go,The super swingin' luscious lumpkin once again!!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Hi there,Boy, have we ever been hit with some weird weather here in Kansas.Presently, it is pouring buckets,which is, naturally, right after I washed my car.I have given up hope on taking a fabulous pictureof my card, I will just have to show you what I have.

It's a special challenge week over atSimon Says Challenge.Heidi just had a birthday,so she chose the challengeand put together a scrummdiddily prize for us.So, knowing how much Heidi and the otherSimon Says babes do for us out in blogland,I absolutely want, nay, HAVE to join in!!Heidi chose this sketch bi Iris,isn't it gorgeous??!!!

From my many stalkings of the Simon Says Stamp BlogI've picked up that Heidi is a fan of Tilda, and I think, think.... she likes pink,and well, EVERYONE likes cupcakes, so,here we arrive at my card.I got this Tilda in the mail, and what do you know, it's from their store, haha,and have been anxious to ink it up, the perfect occasion!!Poor Tilda had a rosacea flair-up though,I tried to apply some soothing ointment,and look what happened. Nuts.I've used a wonderful oval dresser-uppertutorial by the amazing Kellie, you can find it here,coloured with watercolour pencils,dressed up my image with Stickles,Crystal Lacquer, and white gel pen,the buttons are BG,the ribbons are from my stash,and I am sorry but don't know who made the paper.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Hello happy blogger buddies,I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.I've got something to share with ya.I've been yearning to play with Morrissince he arrived in my mailboxbut had a vision of what I wanted to makeand couldn't find the papers to do it.Well, this past week, Hobby Lobbyhad all of their woodmounted stamps on salefor 50% off, so I bought this gorgeous stampyou see behind Morris and it all came together.I will make my paper, yes, yes, I will!!And you know, I won't run out of it this way...

The turn of the season has brought some deliciousribbon selection to my local craft stores,I found some yummy organza ribbon andthe fabulous jute on this card, as well as lots of others that I can't wait to use.I also discovered Mod Podge.I know, where have I been for the past 3 decades?!?!It sure did help out when it came to prettying up this guitar.

Along with some new items, I've used some ancient material,the golden thread I've used to restring Morris'guitar for him is about 15 years old, my Aged and Confused BG paper has been my most hoarded sheet ever, I love itand will be soooooo sad when I have used it all,now I am that much closer :(The gems are from who knows when,maybe 12 years ago, maybe longer, I don't know.My new supply of jute and organza,the Stampabilities stamp Composer's Dream,and the Podge were a great compliment to theseoldies but goodies and my dear Morris.There is gold vellum punched with the MS doily punch,papers were distressed in Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap,Morris was coloured with watercolour pencils.I added a little bit to the image, I lined his eyes so I could add a green iris,then I put Stickles in the little glimmer area,and added Crystal Lacquer over the top.I added "gold leafing" to his guitar,and popped the heads with Pewter Perfect Pearls,the bridge and fret markers were glazed with Crystal Lacquer,on top of the peicing and popping, I added a layer of Mod Podge and laid the thread on,then, as you can see, I tolled and pieced Morris' arm & hand on.It is neat IRL, I did not attach the armso if one felt inclined to let Morris strum his gitfiddle,he most definitely could. And I used this most fabulous sketch,I had to skip out on a few elements around the image,but hey, they are more like guidelines than hard-fast rules, sketches? Eh.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Hello out there!!I always get a kick out ofmaking things for little ones.I find it amusing because of the battleI go through with my own lil' turkeyjust to keep him amused for a minute or twowhile I try and weasle in a crafty moment.This was no exception.

Yes, all of you out there with tots knowthat you'd better just wait until they've gone to bed to get crafty.What happens when there's a house full of night owls?It's nearly midnight before I can get my grubby little mits on my supplies...All that aside, I have at long lastcompleted this project and am ready to share it.

This was really fun to put together, and I will revisit this template in the future,now that I know the cuts and folds, the project will be a breeze.Lovely breeze, huh?I have used my wonderful Tina Wenke stampthat Simon Says StampLucky Duck-a-fied me with,coloured with watercolour pencils,Stickles and Crystal Glaze on the water, Stickles in the flower centers, Pearls are Martha Stewart and Liquid Pearls,DP is Basic Grey, the border was cutusing Fiskars shears, and the ribbonand grommet are from my stash.Oh, and let's not forget the wonderfulInkadinkado Brenda Walton clear set sentiment!!

And this one is a little different.Simon Says Stamp Bloghas allowed us the opportunity to share with themprojects that we have made using items from their store,and on September 18th, they will draw a winner who will win a $25 shopping spree (shipping included)and have their work showcased on their blog.I wanted to take the time to show themthat I LOVE the stamp they gave meand selected products that can be purchased in their store to make the project,some of the items used were purchased there!!Can't say ALL, truth is, I lose track ofwhat came from where, but SSS do carry all of these product lines, except for the Stephanne Stash, they don't carry that at the moment, lol.And just an aside here, OMG, love those charms!!The above link will take you to it, you ought to check it out!!I love the idea of showing your work,so thanks for the perfect outlet to do it!!

Thanks for your visit.I am so grateful for my friends and visitorsto my projects, it means a lot to methat you'd take the time to stop by,and I truly TRULY appreciate your support!!Take Care,Stephanne

Edited: I forgot to tell you what I want to do with this!! What can I say, it was late, lol!! I will be giving this to my cousin when she has her son this October/November (who knows, baby's have their own way of doing things!!) and I will be putting little baby booties and a gift card inside!!